- This event has passed.
Oxford Town and Gown 2026 (Bidwells Oxford 10k)
10 May @ 8.00am to 1.00pm
About Oxford Town and Gown 2026 (Bidwells Oxford 10k)
The Oxford Town and Gown (Bidwells Oxford 10k) returns on Sunday 10 May 2026, continuing a long-standing tradition of running, community and charitable giving. As the oldest race in the Town and Gown series, it has become a firm favourite for runners of all abilities, from first-timers to seasoned athletes.
A race with heart
Inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who lived with muscular dystrophy, the race was founded in 1982 by local runners as a fun event to raise funds for muscular dystrophy.
More than four decades later, the spirit of the race endures, with all profits continuing to support Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) – the charity supporting 70,000 people living with over 60 rare progressive muscle-wasting conditions.
A course for everyone
The 10k route takes runners along a closed-road City Centre course, finishing in the picturesque University Parks. Along the way, participants enjoy a unique and scenic route through the heart of Oxford.
Whether you’re aiming for your first 10k, chasing a personal best, or simply running for fun (and maybe in full orange), this race offers a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Every year, up to 6,000 runners take part, creating a vibrant celebration of sport, community and support for a vital cause. Beginners and experienced runners alike share the energy, camaraderie and pride that make the Oxford Town and Gown 10k such a memorable event.
Supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK
By taking part, runners and spectators alike contribute to the important work of Muscular Dystrophy UK, helping fund research, provide support, and build a community for those living with rare and progressive muscle-weakening conditions.
For registration details, course maps, and fundraising information, visit the Oxford Town and Gown 10k website and join one of Oxford’s most cherished annual running events.
Register
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Early bird entry fees are as follows:
Super early bird entry: £28.50Sold out- Early-bird rate: £32.50 Available for a limited time!
- Standard 2026 entry: £35.00
- Late entry: £37.00
Booking fees apply.
To enter multiple people: Simply add the desired number of tickets you want. The registration form will require you to enter full details of everyone you are paying for.
To create or join a Team: This option will appear at the bottom of the registration form once you have filled out all of your details.
Oxford Town and Gown 10k route
The running route has always shown-off some of Oxfords best landmarks. Expect a scenic tour through the heart of the City Centre, passing many historic Oxford University colleges and Oxford High Street, and then finishing in University Parks.
Oxford Town and Gown Junior 3k route
The 3K route, designed for 9-15 year-olds, takes you through one of Oxford’s most beautiful and historic green spaces. Run through University Parks, follow the scenic River Cherwell, and step through history with Oxford’s iconic colleges just beyond the trees.
The Junior 3k race will take place at 9.15am ahead of the main 10k race.
Road closures
Details of any road closures will be published here closer to the event. Road closures would normally come into force from 8.00am on the Sunday morning and remain in operation until noon. The majority of the affected roads will be on a rolling closure system (i.e. they reopen as soon as the last runner has passed and it is safe to do so).
FAQs
Here are the key timings for the event
- 8.00am – Event Village opens
- 8.50am – Junior 3k warm-up
- 9.05am – Junior 3k runners walk to start on Banbury Road
- 9.15am – Junior 3k start
- 9.30am – 10k warm-up
- 9.35am – head to start pens
- 9.45am – 10k runners walk to start on Banbury Road
- 10.00am – 10k start
- 1.00pm – Event Village closes
The Event Village is in the University Parks, OX1 3RF, near the cricket pavilion. Exact location: What3Words ///sounds.title.scout
You’ll find everything you need pre- and post-race in the Event Village: the information and baggage tents, the registration tent for on-the-day entries, food stalls, and toilets.
The Event Village is where the pre-race warm-ups and prize presentations take place. Please note the races start on Banbury Road, a short walk from the Event Village in University Parks.
It’s important that 10k runners arrive at University Parks in time for the warm-up at 9.35am and Junior 3k runners arrive for their warm-up by 8.50am. The compere will instruct runners to make their way to the start line after the warm-up, where they will seed themselves according to their expected finish time.
Trophy presentations will take place at 11am on the Event village stage . These will be based on chip-time achieved on the day for the following categories:
First, second and third place, female and male
First place in female and male age groups
Should a runner qualify for both an overall winner prize and an age group prize, they’ll be awarded the overall prize and the age group prize will be offered to the next finisher.
Road closures will be in place on the day from 8.00am to 12.30pm.
They’ll be managed by Chevron Traffic Management and will reopen as soon as the last runner passes. Some residential parking bays will also be suspended.
Roads closed between 8.00am and 11.30am:
- A4165 Banbury Road (St Giles to Moreton Road)
- Belbroughton Road (Northmoor Rd to Charlbury Rd)
- Charlbury Road (Belbroughton Rd to Linton Rd)
- Linton Road (Banbury Rd to Northmoor Rd & Charlbury Rd to Chadlington Rd)
- Chadlington Road
- Bardwell Road
- Norham Road
Roads closed between 8.00am and 12.30pm:
- Fyfield Road
- Norham Gardens
- Parks Road
- South Parks Road
- Mansfield Road
- Jowett Walk
- St Cross Road
- Broad Street
- Catte Street
- New College Lane
- Queens Lane
- High Street (Queens Lane to Longwall Street)
- Longwall Street
- Holywell Street
Suspended parking bays from 12.00am to 12.30pm:
- Belbroughton Rd, Linton Rd, Charlbury Rd, Chadlington Rd, Bardwell Rd
- Longwall St, Parks Rd, High St, Mansfield Rd, Jowett Walk
- Norham Gardens, Fyfield Rd, Norham Rd, Broad St
Parking in the centre of Oxford is extremely limited with no parking facilities in the area of the race. All roads in the immediate area are closed with parking restrictions enforced.
Please visit the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach websites for up-to-date travel and bus routes to Oxford City Centre on race day.
The start and Event Village is a maximum 10-minute walk from the city centre. Any bus going near the city centre will be a walkable distance.
Trains
The start and Event Village is a maximum 20-minute walk from Oxford train station. You’ll need to factor this in when arriving by train. For up-to-date train information visit the national rail website.
Parking
Visit the Oxford City Council website for a list of car parks within the city centre. Alternatively, use the park n ride which offers frequent bus transfers into the city centre.
Gallery
